Jordone (Jodi) R. (Hanson) Gillis

Jordone (Jodi Hanson) Gillis, age 59 of Kewaunee died peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Aurora Baycare Medical Center with her daughter by her side. She was born on January 23, 1961 in Chilton, WI to the late Donald and Carol (Hansen) Hanson.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren.  They meant everything to her and she loved every minute she got to spend with them.  She would spoil them like no other.  They loved spending time cooking and baking, jumping on the inflatable bed, having tea parties, watching movies and being silly.  She had a big selection of “fancy shoes” that Kayla loved showing off.  Tori had a talent for giving Grandma the best make over.  They loved having their tea and crumpets aka juice or soda and mini powdered donuts.  When Dylan was younger, they would spend their time together going to the wildlife sanctuary feeding the ducks and geese and playing legos.  As he got older, they loved to watch movies and just spending time together talking about anything and everything.  She was the most loving Grandma.  The last five months of her life we had the privilege of having her live with us.  She spent her time sitting on the back deck watching the deer.  She would always give us a daily report of what the wildlife action was for the day.   She would wave out the front window as the kids would leave for school in the morning and be waiting for them at the kitchen table when they would come home.  And always with the biggest smile on her face when they would walk in the door.  She was the most loving and giving person.

She was a truck driver for thirty plus years until retiring for health reasons.  She loved being on the road traveling all over the United States.  She was very proud to be independent and able to take care of herself.  And a quote from one of her best friends “She was a tough nut and hardheaded, but a kind soul at the same time”.  She was a lover of all animals but especially horses.  She enjoyed riding horses with her friends.  She had a huge love for music and loved singing to her grandkids “You are my sunshine”.  When she was home, she liked going to concerts.  She loved hanging out with family and friends.  She became a member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Kewaunee and loved her church family.  She was proud of her faith and knew where she was going and through her whole battle with cancer had a positive attitude and a smile on her face.


Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law: Jill and Jason Belter, Kewaunee; three grandchildren: Dylan, Kayla and Victoria; two sisters: Jana (Dave) Dachelet, Brussels, Jill Hanson and special friend, Tim, Two Rivers, nieces and nephews: Jeramy (Pam) Gilson, Chad (Sue) Gilson, Richie (Kim) Gronke, Bobby Gronke, Adam (Lyndsi) Gronke, Mike Hanson, and Bailey Grant, and her two best friends: Rhonda Hanson and Thea Massey.

She was preceded in death by one brother: Jeff  Hanson and one sister and brother-in-law: Jeri Ann and Dean Grant one brother-in-law: Larry Pagel and two nieces: Jamie (Gronke) Maxwell and Bobbi Jo Smith.

Friends may call after 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1000 Wisconsin Ave. Kewaunee until 8:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m.  Visitation continues on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the church until the time of services.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Matthew Sprunger officiating.

The family would like to thank Dr N. Patel, nurses and all staff at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center for their exceptional care.  They were so kind and caring with her and always put her wishes as priority.  Also a special thank you to Pastor Sprunger for his personal one on one devotion and prayers with her during her time of sickness.

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